When it comes to one of the most beloved staples in our pantries, peanut butter, we need to think about quality and not just taste. The peanut butter aisle is flooded with choices, but never fear, I’ve got the healthiest peanut butter brands to help you choose a better choice for you and your family.
Who doesn’t love peanut butter? Did you know that not all peanut butters are the same? Some are all natural, while others have sugar or flavors mixed in. Many brands have oils added to make them no-stir and some even have protein powder mixed in.
Peanut butter has so many uses and is well loved by many people. Delicious PB&J sandwiches, gluten-free snacks, peanut butter ice cream, Reese’s peanut butter cup chocolate cupcakes, and it’s even used to make sauces for many ethnic dishes.
Peanut butter is also a popular additive for making protein balls and no bake desserts. The stickiness helps bind together the individual servings.
In the mood for more recipes? Check out these delicious peanut butter favorites of mine!
Is Peanut Butter Healthy?
Not all peanut butter is created equal, and the choices we make can have a significant impact on our health. The best peanut butter is always debatable, but the healthiest peanut butters will have health benefits, a high protein content, no extra sugar, and simple ingredients. Peanut butter contains heart-healthy fats that are a great addition to a healthy diet.
Determining the healthiest peanut butter brand can depend on your specific health goals and dietary preferences. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a healthy peanut butter brand:
Ingredients
Look for peanut butter brands with minimal ingredients. The healthiest options typically contain just peanuts and maybe a touch of salt. Avoid products with added sugars, hydrogenated oils or artificial additives because these are simply unnecessary ingredients that will bring about extra calories. Look for healthy peanut butter alternatives.
It is especially important to read the labels if you are following any specific type of diet, like a clean keto diet or a gluten-free diet. Sometimes brands add ingredients that you wouldn’t typically think you’d find in peanut butter.
Nutrient Content
Check the nutrition label for protein, fiber and healthy fats. Healthier peanut butter options tend to have higher protein and fiber content, which can help keep you feeling full and satisfied.
No Added Sugar
Many commercial peanut butter brands add sugar to their products to make them taste better. This can potentially contribute to unexpected weight gain or other problems. Opt for brands with no added sugar. You will be able to taste the best peanut flavor and not just sugar.
If you are looking for the sweet flavor, try adding maple syrup or honey to your peanut butter to your individual serving.
No Hydrogenated Oils
Avoid peanut butter brands that contain hydrogenated oils, as they contain trans fats, which we know are not good for us. Some natural companies add palm oil to their smooth peanut butter, but no added oil is always best!
Salt Content
Some peanut butter brands add excessive salt. Choose options with lower sodium levels or no added salt if you’re watching your salt intake.
Organic and Non-GMO
If you prefer organic and non-GMO products, look for peanut butter brands that carry these certifications.
No Emulsifiers
Select peanut butter brands without emulsifiers, as they can have long-term health implications. These most likely will be in the form of gums or partially hydrogenated oils. “Emulsifiers can generate inflammation to the gut’s fragile and important lining,” says dietitian Dahlia Marin.
You can always make your own homemade peanut butter by roasting raw peanuts and grinding them yourself, but that takes time. So below, find the healthiest brands of peanut butter that you can get at your local supermarkets and health food stores.
The Healthiest Peanut Butter Brands
Once Again
Once Again Unsweetened Creamy Peanut Butter, not only is this peanut butter organic, salt-free and sugar-free, but it also uses ethically sourced peanuts. The peanut butter is made by roasting and grinding blanched, dry-roasted peanuts until they are creamy. The best part is there is only one ingredient. They come in glass jars that are reusable, making them better for the environment as well.
Once Again also makes a delicious almond and chocolate butter that I created this dessert with!
“I absolutely love Once Again Creamy Unsweetened Peanut Butter. It is perfectly smooth, creamy, and flavorful.”
— Kristen Wood, MOON and spoon and yum
Pic’s Peanut Butter
Pic’s Peanut Butter is known for only using the finest hi oleic peanuts, sustainably grown by farmers in Australia and Brazil. They roast their peanuts in-house and buy blanched, but unroasted peanuts so they can control how much roasting the peanuts get.
Elizabeth Stasny, a dietitian from Dallas, Texas says Pic’s Peanut Butter is slow-roasted, has only salt and peanuts for ingredients and the way it’s made prevents the oil from separating as quickly.
Laura Scudder’s Peanut Butter
Laura Scudder’s peanut butter has just two ingredients: peanuts and salt. It also has 8g of protein per serving.
I saw this brand online and thought it looked a lot like my favorite peanut butter that I buy in Texas and it turns out, I found this:
In December 1994, The J.M. Smucker Company acquired the Laura Scudder’s® Natural Peanut Butter business from BAMA Foods Inc. Today, Laura Scudder’s® brand is a premium, well known natural peanut butter with a strong West Coast presence.
So what is my favorite brand?
Smucker’s Natural Peanut Butter
Smucker’s Natural peanut butter, both the creamy and the chunky versions have only two ingredients. With only peanuts and salt, this makes for a healthy peanut butter brand. And while I am not 100% sure, I am thinking it will taste just like Laura Scudder’s. Let me know in the comments if you know for sure!
Adam’s Peanut Butter
Adam’s 100% Natural Peanut Butter has just one ingredient: peanuts. It’s unsalted, gluten-free and Kosher pareve.
Kraft’s Only Peanuts
Kraft’s Only Peanuts peanut butter, as the name implies, this peanut butter has just one ingredient: peanuts. It’s a Canadian product, but it is available on Amazon.
Woodstock Peanut Butter
Woodstock Organic peanut butter is an unsalted, smooth and creamy peanut butter that is made from organically grown peanuts. Non-GMO Project Verified and USDA Organic.
Reading ingredient labels and nutritional information is key to finding healthy peanut butter brands. Your favorite might not be listed above, so give it a look over, and you might be surprised by the ingredients yours has. So the next time you grab your favorite jar of peanut butter, check out the grams of protein, ingredients list, and any extra ingredients!
Crunchy or Creamy?
This one is all about personal preference. If you prefer a creamy texture, then that is what you need! There is no difference in creamy and crunchy peanut butter, other than the creamy has been pulverized much more. The right peanut butter is the one that you prefer!
Gena’s tip: Natural peanut butters are harder to stir and natural separation usually happens, so you might have a layer of oil on top. Here’s what I do: empty the whole jar into my Ninja blender and it combines it effortlessly! I just pour it right back into the jar.
Fun fact: Want to know where peanuts come from? Many people aren’t aware that they do not grow on trees! (Which is why peanut allergies are different than tree nut allergies!) I am from West Texas, where peanuts are grown, so I knew this already, but it always surprises me that not everyone knows this.
Have you tried these natural peanut butter brands? What is your favorite brand of peanut butter?
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Lara is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Personal Trainer. She is also a photographer and recipe developer and has a food and travel blog Lara Clevenger. She shares easy recipes that are mostly low-carb, along with some bowling and travel adventures. Whether you’re cooking with an air fryer, Blackstone or Instant Pot, she has you covered with healthy recipes.
This article originally appeared on Food Drink Life.